TWO BARNSLEY girls finished in the top six of the under 17 event at the Northern Cross Country Championships at Pontefract Racecourse.
Maya Schofield, from Royston, was fifth and 12 seconds clear of Penistone’s Grahaigh Turner – as they reversed their positions from last week’s Yorkshire Championships.
Four Barnsley AC members competed at that level for the first time.
Under 13 girl Casey-May Ryder finished 116th in 20-21 over 3.08km while under 13 boy Archie Bisht was 57th with a time of 12-27 over the same distance.
Under 15 boy Kuba Obst finished 90th over 4.12km in 17-01. Under 20 man Tristan Davies-Bennett ran 33-01 over 8.22km to finish 47th.
Penistone Footpath Runners enjoyed an outstanding day at the Meltham ‘Tough’ 10k, one of Yorkshire’s most demanding winter road races, with both the men’s and women’s teams taking first place.
Individually, Flynn Rogers led the club home with a fine fourth place overall in 36-49, followed closely by Richard Heppenstall, who finished eighth overall in 37-56.
James Mumford continued his strong run of form with 11th place in 38-55, while George Parr was 16th in 39-40.
Veteran success was again a highlight, with Ian Neville winning the men’s over60 category in 44-16.
In the women’s race, Rachael Mayston finished in fourth, followed closely by Josie Smith in fifth, while Lesley Parker was awarded the first women’s over50 prize following a strong run in 48-44.
Barbara Haigh claimed first place in the women’s over70 category, while solid performances throughout the field came from Jill Scrivens, Mandy Mallinder, Susan Charlesworth, Jane Cockerton, Tracy Woodward and Stu Smith.
Penistone fielded one of the largest contingents on the day.
Barnsley AC’s Andrew Heppenstall finished fifth overall and second over40 man in a time of 36-54.
Vicky Shaw was first woman overall after finishing second at the race for the last two years.
Her time was 42-35.
Mark Wood ran his fastest time on the course since 2023 to finish in 44-07.
At the Stockport 10k, Barnsley AC’s Taylor Hughes finished 28th in a time of 36-56.
Barnsley Harriers Helen Andrews and Amanda Murphy competed in the Manchester HYROX doubles.
They finished in a time of 1-38 and finished fourth in their age category.
Thirteen Barnsley AC junior athletes took part in the SYCAA Indoor Series fixture three.
It was Hugo Brown and Arlo Vickers’ first time competing.
Anica Leake ran PBs in 60m (9.55) and 200m (31.85).
